Good Impressions

MTSU’s imprint offers open books with free digital downloads

by Clay V. Trainum

Following a successful first year, MT Open Press is gearing up for even more titles entering the Fall 2024 semester. The process has proven rewarding so far, with unsolicited requests from interested authors, free full-text downloads, and print-on-demand purchases.

Serving as the official publishing imprint of Walker Library, MT Open Press operates with the mission of providing open access publishing opportunities to the middle Tennessee community.

The program, run by the library’s Digital Scholarship Initiatives office, began in an effort to be an outlet for those on campus looking to write a book. Without an official university press to turn to, MT Open Press can serve as a one-stop shop with a process designed to be author-focused and transparent. Unlike commercial publishers, the imprint is not profit-driven, and the needs of the authors and editors are put first. Additionally, everything published by MT Open Press is open access, meaning that readers can access the books for free online.

MT Open Press provides all the technical infrastructure and long-term services to support the access, discovery, and use of digital publications. When the press and an author come to an agreement, the imprint springs into action with its services, which include but are not limited to direct support for the author or editor, copy editing, layout, marketing, and distribution coordination. Essentially, the idea is to remove many of the headaches that someone attempting to publish independently might experience.

Learning Curve

Starting a press has been a learning process, as the staff of MT Open Press are quick to point out in reference to its first two books. Even that only underpins the imprint’s commitment to author needs, as the staff worked directly to collect feedback from the authors of each book to improve the overall workflow.

The success of the first two books, one focusing on intercultural competencies in study abroad programs and the other on privacy and safety in online learning, has resulted in thousands of downloads, presentations at conferences, and even use in course curricula.

Given the size and scope of the program and the fact that MT Open Press is still a relatively small organization, the imprint is selective on the proposals that it takes up with authors, evaluating each project based on three core tenets: community value, quality, and capacity. MT Open Press wants to promote an inclusive culture that aligns with MTSU strategically while featuring high-quality scholarly content without compromising the ability of the imprint to deliver the necessary amount of support to its authors and editors.

What’s Next

These books are planned for the upcoming year:

• Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, a collection of essays edited by MTSU College of Education professors Pamela Kramer Artel and Robyn Ridgely. In an effort to help fight the growing teacher shortage, this book will feature stories from more than a dozen former MTSU College of Education students and educators across campus and the region as they reflect on their careers as teachers. It will focus on their pathways, pivotal moments, mentors, and hopes for the future, and it will offer encouragement to those looking into the field as well as those seeking inspiration to stay in the classroom.

• The Engaged Music Teacher: Building Policy Understanding and Capacity for Advocacy, another book with an education focus and the first single-author publication for MT Open Press. MTSU School of Music’s Christopher Dye is creating a toolkit for music educators who may need to advocate for funding as they enter the workforce and begin teaching on the K–12 level. The book will be a resource to prepare students to become policyaware professionals and effective advocates after graduation. It will also serve as a valuable textbook for music education faculty, structuring weekly discussions and activities in the classroom.

As the new books get on track for publishing, MT Open Press will begin the process again, launching another call for proposals as it continues to build its offerings.

More about MT Open Press

To read free digital editions or purchase print copies, visit openpress.mtsu.edu.

Want to help? Consider a donation by contacting kathleen.schmand@mtsu.edu.